Chapter

10

VECTOR ALGEBRA
10.1 Overview
10.1.1 A quantity that has magnitude as well as direction is called a vector.
a 10.1.2 The unit vector in the direction of a is given by | a | and is represented by a .

and its + y 10.1.3 Position vector of a point P (x, y, z) is given as OP = x i j+ z k magnitude as | OP | = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 , where O is the origin. 10.1.4 The scalar components of a vector are its direction ratios, and represent its projections along the respective axes. 10.1.5 The magnitude r, direction ratios (a, b, c) and direction cosines (l, m, n) of any vector are related as:

a b c l = , m = , n= . r r r
10.1.6 The sum of the vectors representing the three sides of a triangle taken in order is 0 10.1.7 The triangle law of vector addition states that If two vectors are represented by two sides of a triangle taken in order, then their sum or resultant is given by the third side taken in opposite order. 10.1.8 Scalar multiplication If a is a given vector and a scalar, then a is a vector whose magnitude is | a | = || | a |. The direction of a is same as that of a if is positive and, opposite to that of a if is negative.

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10.1.9 Vector joining two points If P1 (x1, y1,z1) and P2 (x2, y2,z2) are any two points, then
+ ( y2 y1 ) j + ( z2 z1 ) k P1P2 = ( x2 x1 ) i | P1P2 | = ( x2 x1 ) 2 + ( y2 y1 ) 2 + ( z2 z1 ) 2

10.1.10 Section formula The position vector of a point R dividing the line segment joining the points P and Q whose position vectors are a and b (i) in the ratio m : n internally, is given by
na mb m n
mb na mn

(ii)

in the ratio m : n externally, is given by

a. b 10.1.11 Projection of a along b is and the Projection vector of a along b |b|

a. b is |b | b.

10.1.12 Scalar or dot product The scalar or dot product of two given vectors a and b having an angle between them is defined as
a . b = | a | | b | cos

10.1.13 Vector or cross product The cross product of two vectors a and b having angle between them is given as
a b = | a | | b | sin n ,

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where n is a unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing a and b and a , b , n form a right handed system.
and b = b i are two vectors and is + a2 10.1.14 If a = a1 i j + a3 k 1 + b2 j + b3 k any scalar, then + (a2 + b2 ) a + b = (a1 + b1 ) i j + (a3 + b3 ) k + ( a2 ) a = ( a1 ) i j + ( a3 ) k
a . b = a1 b1+ a2 b2 + a3 b3

i a a b = 1 a2

j b1 b2

k c1 + (a2c1 c1c2) = (b1c2 b2c1) i j + (a1bb a2b1) k c2

Angle between two vectors a and b is given by

a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3b3 a. b cos = | | | | = 2 2 2 2 a1 + a2 + a3 b12 + b2 + b32 a b

10.2 Solved Examples Short Answer (S.A.)

Example 1 Find the unit vector in the direction of the sum of the vectors and b = i . + a =2 i j+2 k j+3 k Solution Let c denote the sum of a and b . We have +5 k ) + ( i ) = i + c = (2 i j+2 k j+3 k Now | c | = 12 + 52 = 26 .

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207

Thus, the required unit vector is c =

c c

( i + 5k ) = 26

1 26

i+

5 26

k.

Example 2 Find a vector of magnitude 11 in the direction opposite to that of PQ , where P and Q are the points (1, 3, 2) and (1, 0, 8), respetively. Solution The vector with initial point P (1, 3, 2) and terminal point Q (1, 0, 8) is given by
=2 i 3 j + (8 2) k j+ 6 k PQ = ( 1 1) i + (0 3)

Thus

+3 j 6k QP = P Q = 2i
| QP | = 22 + 32 + (6) 2 = 4 + 9 + 36 = 49 = 7

Therefore, unit vector in the direction of Q P is given by

Q P |Q P| 2 i 3 j 7 6k

QP

Hence, the required vector of magnitude 11 in direction of Q P is 11 QP = 11

3 2i j 6k 7

22 33 66 i+ j k . 7 7 7

Example 3 Find the position vector of a point R which divides the line joining the two points P and Q with position vectors O P 2 a in the ratio 1:2, (i) internally and (ii) externally. b and O Q a 2 b , respectively,

Solution (i) The position vector of the point R dividing the join of P and Q internally in the ratio 1:2 is given by
2( 2 a b ) 1( a 2 b ) 1 2 5a . 3

OR

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MATHEMATICS

(ii)

The position vector of the point R dividing the join of P and Q in the ratio 1 : 2 externally is given by
O R = 2(2a + b ) 1( a 2 b) = 3a + 4 b . 2 1

Example 4 If the points (1, 1, 2), (2, m, 5) and (3,11, 6) are collinear, find the value of m. Solution Let the given points be A (1, 1, 2), B (2, m, 5) and C (3, 11, 6). Then = 3i + (m + 1) + (m + 1) j + (5 2) k j + 3k A B = (2 + 1) i and + (11 + 1) j + (6 2) k A C = (3 + 1) i . + 12 = 4i j + 4k

Since A, B, C, are collinear, we have A B = A C , i.e., ) (4i ) (m 1) +12 (3 i j 3k j + 4k

Therefore 3 = 4 and m + 1 = 12 m = 8.

Example 5 Find a vector r of magnitude 3 2 units which makes an angle of and 4

with y and z - axes, respectively. 2

1 Solution Here m = cos = 4 2

and n = cos

= 0. 2

Therefore,

l2 + m2 + n2 = 1 l2 +
1 +0 =1 2

gives

l =

1 2

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209

) is given by +m Hence, the required vector r = 3 2 (l i j + nk

r =3 2 (
1 i 2 1 ) j 0k +3 = r = 3i j. 2

, b = + and c = i , find such that j+k + 3 Example 6 If a = 2 i jk i j 2k

a is perpendicular to

b c.

Solution

We have
)+( i ) + 3 b + c = ( i + j k j 2k + ( + 3 ) = ( + 1) i j (2 + 1) k

Since a ( b + c ), a .( b + c ) = 0
) . [( + 1) i ]=0 + ( + 3) (2 i j + k j (2 + 1) k

2 ( + 1) ( + 3) (2 + 1) = 0 = 2. Example 7 Find all vectors of magnitude 10 3 that are perpendicular to the plane and i . 2 3 of i j k j 4k and b = 2 Solution Let a = i j k
. Then 3 i j 4k

a b

i j k (3 2) (8 3) 1 2 1 i j (4 1) k 5 j + 5k = 5i 1 3 4

a b

(5)2 ( 5)2 (5)2

3(5) 2

5 3.

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MATHEMATICS

Therefore, unit vector perpendicular to the plane of a and b is given by

a b a b 5 5i j 5k 5 3

Hence, vectors of magnitude of 10 3 that are perpendicular to plane of a and b

are
10 3 5 5i j 5k , i.e., 5 3

) . j k 10(i

Long Answer (L.A.)

Example 8 Using vectors, prove that cos (A B) = cosA cosB + sinA sinB. Solution Let OP and OQ be unit vectors making angles A and B, respectively, with positive direction of x-axis. Then QOP = A B [Fig. 10.1]
cos B + cos A + We know OP = OM + MP i j sin B. j sin A and OQ = ON + NQ i

By definition OP. OQ

OP OQ cos A-B

= cos (A B)
In terms of components, we have
cos A OP. OQ = (i cos B j sin A).(i j sin B)

... (1)

OP 1 OQ

= cosA cosB + sinA sinB From (1) and (2), we get cos (A B) = cosA cosB + sinA sinB.

... (2)

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sin A sin B sin C , where a, b, c represent the a b c magnitudes of the sides opposite to vertices A, B, C, respectively.
Example 9 Prove that in a ABC, Solution Let the three sides of the triangle BC, CA and AB be represented by a , b and c , respectively [Fig. 10.2]. We have a b c 0 . i.e., a b c

which pre cross multiplying by a , and post cross multiplying by b , gives a b = c a and a b b c

respectively. Therefore, a b b c c a
a b b c c a

a b sin ( C) b c sin ( A) c a sin ( B)

ab sin C = bc sinA = ca sinB

Dividing by abc, we get

sin C sin A sin B sin A sin B sin C i.e. c a b a b c

Objective Type Questions

Choose the correct answer from the given four options in each of the Examples 10 to 21. is 2 Example 10 The magnitude of the vector 6i j 3k

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MATHEMATICS

(A)

(B)

(C)

12

(D)

Solution (B) is the correct answer. Example 11 The position vector of the point which divides the join of points with position vectors a b and 2a b in the ratio 1 : 2 is (A)
3a 2b 3

(B)

(C)

5a b 4a b (D) 3 3

Solution (D) is the correct answer. Applying section formula the position vector of the required point is
2(a b ) 1(2a b ) 4a b 2 1 3

Example 12 The vector with initial point P (2, 3, 5) and terminal point Q(3, 4, 7) is (A) i j 2k i j 2k (B) 7 j 12k 5i

(C)

(D)

None of these

Solution (A) is the correct answer. is Example 13 The angle between the vectors i j and j k (A) (B)

2 3

(C)

(D)

5 6

a .b Solution (B) is the correct answer. Apply the formula cos = a . b .

and 3i Example 14 The value of for which the two vectors 2i j 2k are perpendicular is (A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8 Solution (D) is the correct answer. j k

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213

and k Example 15 The area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are i is j k 2i (A)
2

(B)

(C)

(D)

Solution (B) is the correct answer. Area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides

. are a and b is a b
Example 16 If a = 8, b (A)
3 and a b 12 , then value of a . b is

6 3

(B)

8 3

(C)

12 3

(D)

None of these
a . b |sin|, we get

Solution (C) is the correct answer. Using the formula a b

. 6
=83
3 = 12 3 . 2

Therefore, a .b = a . b cos

and 3i represents the two sides AB and Example 17 The 2 vectors j+k j + 4k AC, respectively of a ABC. The length of the median through A is (A)
34 2

(B)

48 2

(C)

18

(D)

None of these

Solution (A) is the correct answer. Median AD is given by

AD = 1 = 34 3i + j + 5k 2 2

Example 18 The projection of vector a 2i

along b i is 2 j k j 2k

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MATHEMATICS

(A)

2 3

(B)

1 3

(C)

(D)

Solution (A) is the correct answer. Projection of a vector a on b is (2i ).(i ) 2 j k j 2k 2 = . 1 4 4 3

a .b b

Example 19 If a and b are unit vectors, then what is the angle between a and b for 3a b to be a unit vector? (A) 30 (B) 45 (C) 60 (D) 90

Solution (A) is the correct answer. We have

( 3a b )2 3a 2 b 2 2 3 a.b

a .b =

3 3 cos = 2 2

= 30.

Example 20 The unit vector perpendicular to the vectors i j and i j forming a right handed system is (A)
k

(B)

(C)

i j 2
i j

(D)
i j

i j 2

Solution (A) is the correct answer. Required unit vector is i j Example 21 If a (A) [0, 6] 3 and 1 k 2 , then ka lies in the interval (B) [ 3, 6] (C)

2k . k = i j 2

[ 3, 6] (D)

[1, 2]

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Solution (A) is the correct answer. The smallest value of ka will exist at numerically smallest value of k, i.e., at k = 0, which gives ka
k a 0 3 0

The numerically greatest value of k is 2 at which ka 10.3 EXERCISE Short Answer (S.A.) 1. 2.

6.

and b 2 . Find the unit vector in the direction of sum of vectors a 2i j k j k and b 2i If a i j 2k (i) 6 b (ii) , find the unit vector in the direction of j 2k 2a b

3.

Find a unit vector in the direction of PQ , where P and Q have co-ordinates (5, 0, 8) and (3, 3, 2), respectively.

4.

If a and b are the position vectors of A and B, respectively, find the position vector of a point C in BA produced such that BC = 1.5 BA. Using vectors, find the value of k such that the points (k, 10, 3), (1, 1, 3) and (3, 5, 3) are collinear. A vector r is inclined at equal angles to the three axes. If the magnitude of r is 2 3 units, find r . A vector r has magnitude 14 and direction ratios 2, 3, 6. Find the direction cosines and components of r , given that r makes an acute angle with x-axis. Find a vector of magnitude 6, which is perpendicular to both the vectors 2i j 2k . and 4i j 3k Find the angle between the vectors 2i and 3i . 4 j k j k

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. If a b c 0 , show that a b b c c a . Interpret the result geometrically? 11. Find the sine of the angle between the vectors a 3i . 2 b 2i j 4k and j 2k

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MATHEMATICS

, 2i 12. If A, B, C, D are the points with position vectors i j k , 3i , respectively, find the projection of AB along CD . 3k 2 j k 2i

, j 3k

13. Using vectors, find the area of the triangle ABC with vertices A(1, 2, 3), B(2, 1, 4) and C(4, 5, 1). 14. Using vectors, prove that the parallelogram on the same base and between the same parallels are equal in area. Long Answer (L.A.) 15. Prove that in any triangle ABC, cos A
b2 c 2 a 2 , where a, b, c are the 2bc magnitudes of the sides opposite to the vertices A, B, C, respectively.

16. If

a, b , c

determine

the

vertices

of

triangle,

show

that

1 b c c a a b gives the vector area of the triangle. Hence deduce the 2

condition that the three points a , b , c are collinear. Also find the unit vector normal to the plane of the triangle. 17. Show that area of the parallelogram whose diagonals are given by a and b is

a b 2

. Also find the area of the parallelogram whose diagonals are 2i j k

. 3 and i j k and b 18. If a = i j k Objective Type Questions Choose the correct answer from the given four options in each of the Exercises from 19 to 33 (M.C.Q) that has magnitude 9 is 2 19. The vector in the direction of the vector i j 2k (A) (C) 2 i j 2k ) 2 3(i j 2k (B) (D) , find a vector c such that a c b and a . c 3 . j k

2 i j 2k 3
) 2 9(i j 2k

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20. The position vector of the point which divides the join of points 2a 3b and a b in the ratio 3 : 1 is (A)
3a 2b 2

(B)

7 a 8b 4

(C)

3a 4

(D)

5a 4

21. The vector having initial and terminal points as (2, 5, 0) and (3, 7, 4), respectively is (A) (C) 12 i j 4k 2 j 4k 5i (B) (D) 2 j 4k 5i i j k

22. The angle between two vectors a and b with magnitudes 3 and 4, respectively, and a . b 2 3 is (A) (B) (C) (D)

5 2

23. Find the value of such that the vectors a 2i orthogonal (A) 0 (B) 1 (C)

and b i are 2 j k j 3k

3 2

(D)

5 2

and 2i 6 4 24. The value of for which the vectors 3i j k j (A) 25. The

are parallel is k (D)

2 3

(B)

3 2

(C)

5 2

2 5

vectors from origin to the points A and B are and b 2i ,respectively, then the area of triangle OAB is 3 3 a 2i j 2k j k 340 (B)

(A)

25

(C)

229 (D)

1 229 2

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MATHEMATICS

) 2 ( a 26. For any vector a , the value of (a i

) 2 is equal to j ) 2 (a k

(A)

a2

(B)

3a 2

(C)

4 a2

(D)

2 a2

27. If a = 10, b = 2 and a . b 12 , then value of a b is (A) 5 (B) 10 (C) 14 (D) 16

, i 28. The vectors i j 2k (A)

and 2i j k j (B)

are coplanar if k

= 2

= 0 (C)

= 1 (D)

=1

29. If a , b , c are unit vectors such that a b (A)

c 0 , then the value of a.b b.c c.a is (C)

(B)

3 2

(D) None of these

30. Projection vector of a on b is

a .b b
2

(A)

a .b
(B)

(C)

a.b a

(D)

a .b b 2 a
3, c

31. If a , b , c are three vectors such that a b then value of a .b b.c c.a is (A) 32. If a (A) 0 4 and 3 [0, 8] (B) 1

c 0 and a

2, b

5,

(C)
a is

19

(D)

38

2 , then the range of

(B)

[ 12, 8] (C)

[0, 12] (D)

[8, 12]

+ 33. The number of vectors of unit length perpendicular to the vectors a = 2i j + 2k is and b = j+k (A) one (B) two (C) three Fill in the blanks in each of the Exercises from 34 to 40. (D) infinite

34. The vector a + b bisects the angle between the non-collinear vectors a and
b if ________

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219

35. If r . a 0, r . b 0, and r . c 0 for some non-zero vector r , then the value of a .(b c ) is 36. The vectors ________

and b i 2k are the adjacent sides of a a 3i 2 j 2k parallelogram. The acute angle between its diagonals is ________.

37. The values of k for which ka are _______.

a and ka

1 a is parallel to a holds true 2

38. The value of the expression a b + (a . b ) 2 is _______. 39. If a b

2

a .b = 144 and a

4 , then b is equal to _______.

) i 40. If a is any non-zero vector, then (a .i

a. j j

k equals _______. a .k

State True or False in each of the following Exercises. 41. If a

b , then necessarily it implies a

b.

42. Position vector of a point P is a vector whose initial point is origin. 43. If a b
a b , then the vectors a and b are orthogonal.

44. The formula (a b ) 2 a 2 b 2 2a b is valid for non-zero vectors a and b . 45. If a and b are adjacent sides of a rhombus, then a . b = 0.